Toyota Sienna vs Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, despite its attempts at style, retained the quintessential minivan look. Its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines gave it a distinctive appearance, but the overall design still echoed the traditional box-on-wheels formula. The Platinum trim introduced new flower-petal wheel designs and a Magnetic Gray paint color, adding a touch of elegance. Inside, Toyota updated the interior with a new woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetic appeal varied. The Sienna's interior was generally considered an improvement, offering practicality with seating for up to eight and a range of trims from LE to Woodland Edition.

In contrast, the 2026 Mazda CX-90 boasted a more sophisticated design, with a short front overhang, long hood, and a cabin set back on the platform, giving it a sporty, rear-wheel-drive look. The concave door skins added surface interest, though the vehicle still had a somewhat slab-sided appearance. Inside, the CX-90 impressed with high-quality materials, except for the olive-colored wood trim in the test vehicle. The digital instrumentation and 12.3-inch infotainment display were well-integrated, though the center console was criticized for its lack of storage space and clunky electronic shifter. The CX-90's interior was otherwise well-received, offering a comfortable and stylish environment.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), delivering a net horsepower of 245. While this might seem modest for a vehicle seating up to eight and towing 3,500 pounds, the electric assist motor provided immediate torque, preventing the Sienna from feeling sluggish. The hybrid system prioritized fuel economy, achieving an EPA rating of 36 mpg in combined driving, though real-world tests showed an average of 26.3 mpg. The Sienna offered a smooth, absorbent ride with minimal body roll, though its handling was not particularly engaging. The brakes, however, showed signs of fading during hard-braking events.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offered three powertrains, with the 3.3 Turbo producing 280 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.3 Turbo S delivered 319 hp and 369 lb-ft on regular gas, increasing to 340 hp on premium fuel. The CX-90 PHEV combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 68-kilowatt electric motor, generating 323 hp and 369 lb-ft on premium fuel, with an electric-only range of 26 miles. All powertrains used an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD. The CX-90's handling was a highlight, offering quick and precise steering and a firm suspension, though the ride communicated road nuances to passengers. The brakes, however, faded significantly during spirited driving.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, though the cushions felt hard after extended driving. The Platinum trim's second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were popular with teenagers, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna provided generous storage space, though finding secure spots for large water bottles was challenging. Cargo capacity was 33.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.2 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and a maximum of 101 cubic feet. However, the Sienna's second-row seats couldn't be removed, limiting maximum load space compared to rivals.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offered firm yet supportive seats, with heated and ventilated front and second-row captain's chairs. Storage space was limited, with only a shallow bin beneath the center armrest. The second-row seats provided a good view and climate control panel, though legroom was less generous than some competitors. The third row could accommodate adults with small feet, but the second-row center console restricted leg placement. Cargo space was 14.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40 cubic feet with the third row down, and a maximum of 74.2 cubic feet, less than some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna's higher-spec models featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen display for the Toyota Audio Multimedia (TAM) system. The Platinum trim included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a 10-inch head-up display (HUD), and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system offered five connected services plans, with varying complimentary subscription periods. The digital assistant in the Drive Connect plan was particularly effective, though features were unavailable without an active subscription. The Sienna Platinum also included a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system, though sound quality was muddied by excessive bass.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 came standard with a 10.25-inch infotainment display, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch screen, wireless smartphone integration, and charging. The infotainment system was sometimes intuitive but could be confusing due to its menu structure. The native voice recognition system lacked natural-language capability, making it challenging to use. Apple CarPlay worked flawlessly, providing a more reliable alternative to the Mazda Connect system.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, offering forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna also included automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The new rear-seat reminder technology was a thoughtful addition for families. The Sienna received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though its frontal crash-test result was four stars, with three stars for driver protection in a frontal impact.

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 offered standard driver-assist features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added active blind-spot monitors, lane-keep assist, and head-on traffic avoidance steering assist. The CX-90 earned the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for driver and front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision.